Religious websites have experienced a surge of visitors in the past month according to analysts.

Internet measurement firm Jupiter Media Metrix found that sites dedicated to religion were the fastest growing in the United States during March.

"While religion sites have grown steadily over the past year, the surge in visitors in March 2002 was quite significant, with traffic to the category double what it was just six months ago," said Jupiter Media Metrix analyst Stephen Kim.

Top religious sites

Christianbook.com: 890,000 visitors

Wuzupgod: 652,000

Christianitytoday.com: 633,000

Liveoakfbc.org: 556,000

Catholic.org: 416,000

Jewishworldreview.org: 168,000

This is not necessarily because surfers are becoming more spiritual, though.

Instead, Jupiter Media Metrix puts the surge in interest down to the fact that March is a holy month for both Christians and Jews.

In addition, religion has been the subject of intense media attention following the 11 September attacks and renewed tensions in the Middle East.

The figures show that 6.4% of the US online population visited a religious site during March.

Pope backs the net

Newcomer Wuzupgod.com proved popular with 652,000 unique visitors.

But the most visited site was Christianbook.com with 890,000 surfers logging on in a month.

"So far the majority of religion sites to attract sizeable audiences focus on Christianity, though a few focus on Judaism or offer content tailored to multiple faiths," said Mr Kim.

Religions of all flavours are being forced to recognise the important influence of the internet.

Next month, the Pope will make a speech, warning of the dangers of the web but also proclaiming it as a new forum for evangelising the Christian message.